History
For more than a century, St. John's United Methodist Church has been a place of worship, service, and community in the heart of Davenport. Our congregation was formed at the turn of the 20th century when several Methodist churches in the Davenport area came together as one church family. Construction of our beautiful Gothic Revival church began in 1902, and the building was dedicated in 1903. Designed by architect Parke T. Burrows with Frederick G. Clausen serving as supervising architect, the church has become a cherished landmark in Davenport's historic Hilltop neighborhood and was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As our congregation grew, so did our campus. In the 1950s, an education wing and chapel were added to provide space for Christian education, fellowship, and ministry that continues to serve our church family today.
Like all United Methodist churches, our roots reach back to the 18th-century revival movement led by John and Charles Wesley within the Church of England. Grounded in the Wesleyan tradition, we seek to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors through lives of compassion, grace, and service.
At St. John's, we value both the rich traditions of Christian worship and meaningful contemporary expressions of faith. Whether through inspiring worship, Bible study, music, mission projects, or community outreach, we strive to create a welcoming place where people of every age can grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our mission is simple yet life-changing: to share the Good News of God's love revealed through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. We believe faith is lived out not only in what we say, but also in how we serve others. Together, we seek to make a positive difference in our community and beyond by sharing Christ's love in both word and action.
For more than a century, St. John's United Methodist Church has been a place of worship, service, and community in the heart of Davenport. Our congregation was formed at the turn of the 20th century when several Methodist churches in the Davenport area came together as one church family. Construction of our beautiful Gothic Revival church began in 1902, and the building was dedicated in 1903. Designed by architect Parke T. Burrows with Frederick G. Clausen serving as supervising architect, the church has become a cherished landmark in Davenport's historic Hilltop neighborhood and was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As our congregation grew, so did our campus. In the 1950s, an education wing and chapel were added to provide space for Christian education, fellowship, and ministry that continues to serve our church family today.
Like all United Methodist churches, our roots reach back to the 18th-century revival movement led by John and Charles Wesley within the Church of England. Grounded in the Wesleyan tradition, we seek to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors through lives of compassion, grace, and service.
At St. John's, we value both the rich traditions of Christian worship and meaningful contemporary expressions of faith. Whether through inspiring worship, Bible study, music, mission projects, or community outreach, we strive to create a welcoming place where people of every age can grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our mission is simple yet life-changing: to share the Good News of God's love revealed through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. We believe faith is lived out not only in what we say, but also in how we serve others. Together, we seek to make a positive difference in our community and beyond by sharing Christ's love in both word and action.
Vision Statement
Our vision statement for the church is intended to remind us of the ways in which growth happens for each of us.
Becoming a follower of Jesus-Ignite our faith!
- become involved in worship, a student of the bible, active in service
Belonging to a group-Grow our faith!
-provides connection to the Body of Christ, a small groups gives friendship, discussion deepen our understanding of the Scripture, and a group carries us through the lows and helps us celebrate the highs
Blessing our neighbors -Serve with faith!
- we use our spiritual gifts to serve (examples: helper at The Center, Cafe on Vine, the food pantry, ministry helpers)
Our vision statement for the church is intended to remind us of the ways in which growth happens for each of us.
Becoming a follower of Jesus-Ignite our faith!
- become involved in worship, a student of the bible, active in service
Belonging to a group-Grow our faith!
-provides connection to the Body of Christ, a small groups gives friendship, discussion deepen our understanding of the Scripture, and a group carries us through the lows and helps us celebrate the highs
Blessing our neighbors -Serve with faith!
- we use our spiritual gifts to serve (examples: helper at The Center, Cafe on Vine, the food pantry, ministry helpers)
St. John's Mission StatementOur Mission:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by being a creative, compassionate, Christian community! Some specific examples of how we live out our calling:For several years, we have held an annual Change the World Sunday, where worship becomes service in our neighborhood and community. We gather on Sunday morning, and go into the community to do random acts of kindness, pick up litter and trash, makes kits for the homeless, write cards to the home bound, and package meals for Kids Against Hunger. In this ministry, we seek to be authentic in love as we become God's love in action to make our world better.
We sponsor men, women and youth in our congregation to go on spiritual retreats called the Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis to deepen their relationship with Christ and seek further guidance in their life's journey. In this ministry, we call people into a closer relationship with Christ. We partner with The Center across the street to put our faith into action as we fight poverty and make a difference in the lives of people. The Center does a myriad of ministries for the neighborhood, including showers and a laundry ministry for the homeless, worship at their indoor skate park for youth, rental and utility assistance for our neighbors, and employs a Christian social worker who provides counseling and guidance. The Center houses the local Food Pantry, a Thrift Store, as well as providing a place for high school equivalency classes and citizenship classes. St. John's provides volunteers, contributions, and in-kind giving. In this ministry, we seek to be agents of God's transforming love in the world. We hold weekly learning classes for children, youth, and adults on Sundays and Wednesday evenings (during the school year). Adult classes include devotional studies, church season studies, understanding United Methodism, and the basics of Christian faith. Children's and youth studies include basic learning, along with fun! In this ministry, we seek to make people disciples of Jesus Christ and grow in their understanding of who Christ is calling them to become. |
